Page 40 of The Perfect Crime

“Sure it is,” Kat acknowledged.“Every piece of intel we can get is part of the picture.But just because the guy is a concerned father doesn’t mean he’s staying true to his marital vows.We contain multitudes, Ms.Dorsey.”

"Yeah, well, please remember that the next time you try to shame me for being Super Detective."

Even as she said it, Hannah could feel a smile fighting its way to the edge of her mouth.She was having trouble staying angry.Apparently Kat was too, because she snickered softly, despite her best efforts.

“Truce?”Hannah asked.

“Truce,” Kat agreed.

It turned out that the timing of their reconciliation was perfect.Just as they exchanged a pinkie finger shake, Hannah noticed Rex Stiller’s rideshare pull over to the side of the road.He got out and started walking along the sidewalk, which was littered with a variety of street vendor stands, from food to souvenirs to fake designer purses.

“So what do we do now?”Hannah asked.“If we keep trailing him at five miles an hour, he’s going to notice us at some point.”

She knew whatshewanted to do.This wasn't Skid Row, after all.It was a busy street market.She could trail him here without the likelihood of being accosted, or probably even noticed.But she was afraid to suggest it.Then Stiller unexpectedly turned off the sidewalk onto a walking path between two buildings.

“We’re going to lose him,” she muttered.

“Fine,” Kat grumbled.“You can follow him.But call me as soon as you get out of the car and keep me on the line.”

“Okay,” Hannah said.

“And stay well behind of him,” Kat insisted.

“Okay.”

“And if the crowd thins out, pull back,” she added.“Got it?”

“Got it,” Hannah said.“Can I go now, or do you have additional instructions to share while he gets away?”

“Go,” Kat ordered.

“Thanks, boss,” Hannah said, leaning over and giving the frowning detective a friendly peck on the cheek, “you’re the best.”

She got out and called Kat as she darted among the pedestrians who were perusing the street vendors’ wares.The call connected as she rounded the corner onto the walking path.She put in her earphones as she scanned the area for Stiller.

“Do you have him in your sights?”Kat asked.

Hannah wasn't sure she did.Then she got a glimpse of the man about thirty yards up ahead.A moment later, he disappeared, turning left down another path.

“Hannah?”Kat said apprehensively.

“I’ve got him now,” she answered.“He turned up another path to the left if you want to head in that direction.I’m trying to catch up without running, which would look a tad suspicious.”

She reached the walking path intersection and found that this new one was much darker and narrower than the one she was currently on, which got a fair bit of sunlight.The buildings on either side of it were taller, blocking out much of the natural light and casting the pavement in shadows.

There were no vendors in this alley, just people milling about outside the back doors of businesses on the ground floor of the buildings.Most of them were chatting amiably while either smoking, drinking, or both.Rex Stiller was about halfway down the alley now and his pace had slowed considerably, as if he was no longer confident about his route.

“What’s going on now?”Kat demanded.

“I have to whisper,” Hannah said.“This alley is quieter and less crowded.Stiller is up ahead of me.It seems like he’s looking for a specific place.He keeps checking signs and addresses next to doors.I don’t think he’s been here before.”

“What kind of businesses are back there?”Kat asked.

"Hard to tell," Hannah said, peering at the doors as she passed them."There are no windows back here, and most of the signs just have last names.There are address numbers next to a few, but that's it.I think one's a pot shop based on the design on the door, but that's just a guess.I will say this—almost all of them have cameras above these back doors, so whatever's going on inside them, security is a priority.Hold on, he's stopping."

Hannah stopped too and leaned against a brick wall, glancing down at her phone as if reading a new text so that if Stiller looked back in her direction, he wouldn’t take notice of her.When she peeked up, she saw him talking over what looked like some kind of intercom.Then she heard a buzz.He opened a door and stepped out of sight.

She headed that way, ignoring the catcalls of two guys smoking weed in front of a dilapidated wooden door along the route.A woman with short, purple hair, wearing a black miniskirt and matching thigh high boots was sitting on a metal stool next to another door, vaping as she played absent-mindedly with her nose ring.

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